By Jenny King

originally posted May 26, 2009

As a Family Advocacy caseworker, I am responsible for planning and organizing our annual distributions. We have two....the Christmas Basket distribution and the School Readiness distribution. Each of these serve over 100 families in each county where CAP operates. As we near the summer, it is time to gear up for the School Readiness distribution! This includes providing school supplies and backpacks for each child in the family who is attending school in the fall. We also acquire some school clothing and vouchers (depending on funds and donations) to help out with preparation for a new school year. So, my work over the next couple of months will include organizing, sorting, and acquiring notebooks, backpacks, pencils, folders, glue, crayons, clothing, etc.... This week I, along with the caseworkers in other counties, are conducting sign-ups for this distribution. We get information and check that each family meets our income guidelines in order to qualify. We will have the distribution at the end of July before school begins in August. For many families, this is their only means of providing these supplies for their children. And, as a volunteer, it is so rewarding to see the faces of the children and their parents when they receive these gifts. What an opportunity!

Jenny King is a long-term volunteer in CAP's Housing program. She lives in Rockcastle Volunteer House.